U.S. patent application number 17/172344 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-03 for voltage regulator for an aerosol delivery device.
The applicant listed for this patent is RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rajesh Sur.
Application Number | 20210161215 17/172344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005389607 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210161215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sur; Rajesh |
June 3, 2021 |
VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE
Abstract
An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a housing
structured to retain an aerosol precursor composition, and a sensor
configured to produce a measurement of pressure caused by airflow
through at least a portion of the housing, and convert the
measurement of pressure to a corresponding electrical signal. The
aerosol delivery device includes a heating element configured to
convert electricity to heat and thereby vaporize components of the
aerosol precursor composition. The aerosol delivery device also
includes a control component including a processor configured to
receive the corresponding electrical signal and in response connect
a power source to a load including the heating element and thereby
power the heating element. And the aerosol delivery device includes
a voltage regulator coupled to and between the sensor and the power
source, and configured to step down voltage from the power source
to the sensor and thereby power the sensor.
Inventors: |
Sur; Rajesh; (Winston-Salem,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. |
Winston-Salem |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005389607 |
Appl. No.: |
17/172344 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15981371 |
May 16, 2018 |
10959459 |
|
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17172344 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 5/0031 20130101;
A24F 40/51 20200101; G06Q 20/204 20130101; G06Q 20/3278 20130101;
A24F 40/53 20200101; H05B 1/0297 20130101; A24F 40/10 20200101;
A24F 40/60 20200101; A24F 40/20 20200101; A24F 40/65 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/60 20200101
A24F040/60; G06Q 20/32 20120101 G06Q020/32; G06Q 20/20 20120101
G06Q020/20; H05B 1/02 20060101 H05B001/02; H04B 5/00 20060101
H04B005/00 |
Claims
1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a housing structured to
retain an aerosol precursor composition; a sensor configured to
produce a measurement of pressure caused by airflow through at
least a portion of the housing, and convert the measurement of
pressure to a corresponding electrical signal; a first terminal and
a second terminal configured to connect a power source to the
aerosol delivery device; a control component including: a processor
configured to receive the corresponding electrical signal and in
response connect the power source to a load to cause the aerosol
delivery device to produce an aerosol from the aerosol precursor
composition; a high-side load switch between the sensor and the
load, the high-side load switch controllable by the processor to
connect and disconnect the power source to and from the load; a
near-field communication (NFC) tag coupled to the processor and
configured to enable the aerosol delivery device to establish NFC
communication with a computing device equipped with a NFC reader;
and a second high-side load switch between the first terminal and
the NFC tag, the second high-side load switch controllable by the
processor to connect and disconnect the power source to and from
the NFC tag, and limit input current to the NFC tag; and a voltage
regulator coupled to and between the sensor and the first terminal,
the voltage regulator configured to step down voltage from the
power source to the sensor and thereby power the sensor, wherein
the processor is configured to control the high-side load switch to
connect the power source to the load only when the power source is
disconnected from the NFC tag.
2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the NFC tag
includes at least: an antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC)
configured to store or generate information including at least an
authentication indicia that enables authentication of the aerosol
delivery device or a component thereof, wherein the antenna is
coupleable with a corresponding antenna of the NFC reader to enable
wireless transfer of the information to the computing device to
enable authentication of the aerosol delivery device or the
component thereof.
3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the IC is
configured to access an event counter configured to maintain a
count that indicates a remaining amount of the aerosol precursor
composition, and authentication of the aerosol delivery device is
authenticated only when the count is positive.
4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the IC is
configured to access an event counter configured to maintain a
count that indicates a remaining amount of the aerosol precursor
composition, and the processor is configured to generate or cease
generation of user-perceptible feedback when the count reaches a
threshold level that indicates a low remaining amount of the
aerosol precursor composition.
5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, wherein the control
component further includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled
to and controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide
the user-perceptible feedback during operation of the aerosol
delivery device only when the count is above the threshold
level.
6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the IC is
further configured to cause the antenna to transmit radio-frequency
(RF) energy to the computing device or a second computing device
equipped with power harvesting circuitry configured to receive the
RF energy, and harvest power from the RF energy to power or charge
at least one electronic component of the computing device or second
computing device.
7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the computing
device is a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, and the NFC tag includes
at least: an antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to
store or generate information including at least payment
information that enables a mobile payment transaction from the
aerosol delivery device, wherein the antenna is coupleable with a
corresponding antenna of the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer
of the information to the POS terminal to enable the mobile payment
transaction from the aerosol delivery device.
8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the control
component further includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled
to and controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the aerosol delivery
device.
9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the load
includes an atomizer configured to produce the aerosol from the
aerosol precursor composition.
10. A control body for an aerosol delivery device, the control body
comprising: a sensor configured to produce a measurement of
pressure caused by airflow through at least a portion of the
housing, and convert the measurement of pressure to a corresponding
electrical signal; a first terminal and a second terminal
configured to connect a power source to the aerosol delivery
device; a control component including: a processor configured to
receive the corresponding electrical signal and in response connect
the power source to a load to cause the aerosol delivery device to
produce an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition; a
high-side load switch between the sensor and the load, the
high-side load switch controllable by the processor to connect and
disconnect the power source to and from the load; a near-field
communication (NFC) tag coupled to the processor and configured to
enable the control body to establish NFC communication with a
computing device equipped with a NFC reader; and a second high-side
load switch between the first terminal and the NFC tag, the second
high-side load switch controllable by the processor to connect and
disconnect the power source to and from the NFC tag, and limit
input current to the NFC tag and a voltage regulator coupled to and
between the sensor and the first terminal, the voltage regulator
configured to step down voltage from the power source to the sensor
and thereby power the sensor, wherein the processor is configured
to control the high-side load switch to connect the power source to
the load only when the power source is disconnected from the NFC
tag.
11. The control body of claim 10, wherein the NFC tag includes at
least: an antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to
store or generate information including at least an authentication
indicia that enables authentication of the control body or a
cartridge coupled to the terminals thereof, wherein the antenna is
coupleable with a corresponding antenna of the NFC reader to enable
wireless transfer of the information to the computing device to
enable authentication of the control body or the component
thereof.
12. The control body of claim 11, wherein the IC is configured to
access an event counter configured to maintain a count that
indicates a remaining amount of the aerosol precursor composition,
and authentication of the control body is authenticated only when
the count is positive.
13. The control body of claim 11, wherein the IC is configured to
access an event counter configured to maintain a count that
indicates a remaining amount of the aerosol precursor composition,
and the processor is configured to generate or cease generation of
user-perceptible feedback when the count reaches a threshold level
that indicates a low remaining amount of the aerosol precursor
composition.
14. The control body of claim 13, wherein the control component
further includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled to and
controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide the
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the control body only
when the count is above the threshold level.
15. The control body of claim 11, wherein the IC is further
configured to cause the antenna to transmit radio-frequency (RF)
energy to the computing device or a second computing device
equipped with power harvesting circuitry configured to receive the
RF energy, and harvest power from the RF energy to power or charge
at least one electronic component of the computing device or second
computing device.
16. The control body of claim 10, wherein the computing device is a
point-of-sale (POS) terminal, and the NFC tag includes at least: an
antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to store or
generate information including at least payment information that
enables a mobile payment transaction from the aerosol delivery
device, wherein the antenna is coupleable with a corresponding
antenna of the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer of the
information to the POS terminal to enable the mobile payment
transaction from the aerosol delivery device.
17. The control body of claim 10, wherein the control component
further includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled to and
controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the control body.
18. The control body of claim 10, wherein the load includes an
atomizer configured to produce the aerosol from the aerosol
precursor composition.
19. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a housing structured to
retain an aerosol precursor composition; a first terminal and a
second terminal configured to connect a power source to the aerosol
delivery device; a control component including a processor
configured to connect the power source to a load to cause the
aerosol delivery device to produce an aerosol from an aerosol
precursor composition, and further including at least: a near-field
communication (NFC) tag coupled to the processor and configured to
enable the aerosol delivery device to establish NFC communication
with a computing device equipped with a NFC reader; and a high-side
load switch between the first terminal and the NFC tag, the
high-side load switch controllable by the processor to connect and
disconnect the power source to and from the NFC tag, and limit
input current to the NFC tag, wherein the processor is configured
to connect the power source to the load only when the power source
is disconnected from the NFC tag.
20. The aerosol delivery device of claim 19, wherein the NFC tag
includes at least: an antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC)
configured to store or generate information including at least an
authentication indicia that enables authentication of the aerosol
delivery device or a component thereof, wherein the antenna is
coupleable with a corresponding antenna of the NFC reader to enable
wireless transfer of the information to the computing device to
enable authentication of the aerosol delivery device or the
component thereof.
21. The aerosol delivery device of claim 19, wherein the computing
device is a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, and the NFC tag includes
at least: an antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to
store or generate information including at least payment
information that enables a mobile payment transaction from the
aerosol delivery device, wherein the antenna is coupleable with a
corresponding antenna of the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer
of the information to the POS terminal to enable the mobile payment
transaction from the aerosol delivery device.
22. The aerosol delivery device of claim 19, wherein the control
component further includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled
to and controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the aerosol delivery
device.
23. The aerosol delivery device of claim 19, wherein the load
includes an atomizer configured to produce the aerosol from the
aerosol precursor composition.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/981,371, filed May 16, 2018, entitled
Voltage Regulator for an Aerosol Delivery Device, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices
such as electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn cigarettes. The
aerosol delivery device may be configured to heat an aerosol
precursor composition, which may be made or derived from tobacco or
otherwise incorporate tobacco, to form an inhalable substance for
human consumption.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many smoking articles have been proposed through the years
as improvements upon, or alternatives to, smoking products based
upon combusting tobacco. Example alternatives have included devices
wherein a solid or liquid fuel is combusted to transfer heat to
tobacco or wherein a chemical reaction is used to provide such heat
source. Examples include the smoking articles described in U.S.
Pat. No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0004] The point of the improvements or alternatives to smoking
articles typically has been to provide the sensations associated
with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, without delivering
considerable quantities of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis
products. To this end, there have been proposed numerous smoking
products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers which utilize
electrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material, or
attempt to provide the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe
smoking without burning tobacco to a significant degree. See, for
example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery
devices and heat generating sources set forth in the background art
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat.
App. Pub. No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith, Jr. et al., and U.S. Pat.
App. Pub. No. 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., which are incorporated
herein by reference. See also, for example, the various types of
smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and electrically powered
heat generating sources referenced by brand name and commercial
source in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2015/0220232 to Bless et al.,
which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional types of
smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and electrically powered
heat generating sources referenced by brand name and commercial
source are listed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2015/0245659 to
DePiano et al., which is also incorporated herein by reference.
Other representative cigarettes or smoking articles that have been
described and, in some instances, been made commercially available
include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875 to Brooks et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,249,586 to Morgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 to Counts et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,053,176 to Adams et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,287 to White, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,196,218 to Voges, U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,883 to Felter et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,461 to Nichols, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to
Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi, U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320
to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,006 to Hamano, U.S. Pat.
No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0095311 to Hon,
U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2006/0196518, 2009/0126745, and 2009/0188490 to
Hon, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0272379 to Thorens et al., U.S. Pat.
Pub. Nos. 2009/0260641 and 2009/0260642 to Monsees et al., U.S.
Pat. Pub. Nos. 2008/0149118 and 2010/0024834 to Oglesby et al.,
U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0307518 to Wang, and PCT Pat. App. Pub. No.
WO 2010/091593 to Hon, which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0005] Representative products that resemble many of the attributes
of traditional types of cigarettes, cigars or pipes have been
marketed as ACCORD.RTM. by Philip Morris Incorporated; ALPHA.TM.,
JOVE 51.theta..TM. and M4.TM. by InnoVapor LLC; CIRRUS.TM. and
FLING.TM. by White Cloud Cigarettes; BLU.TM. by Fontem Ventures B.
V; COHITA.TM., COLIBRI.TM., ELITE CLASSIC.TM., MAGNUM.TM.,
PHANTOM.TM. and SENSE.TM. by EPUFFER.RTM. International Inc.;
DUOPRO.TM., STORM.TM. and VAPORKING.RTM. by Electronic Cigarettes,
Inc.; EGAR.TM. by Egar Australia; eGo-C.TM. and eGo-T.TM. by
Joyetech; ELUSION.TM. by Elusion UK Ltd; EONSMOKE.RTM. by Eonsmoke
LLC; FIN.TM. by FIN Branding Group, LLC; SMOKE.RTM. by Green Smoke
Inc. USA; GREENARETTE.TM. by Greenarette LLC; HALLIGAN.TM.,
HENDU.TM. JET.TM., MAXXQ.TM. PINK.TM. and PITBULL.TM. by SMOKE
STIK.RTM.; HEATBAR.TM. by Philip Morris International, Inc.; HYDRO
IMPERIAL.TM. and LXE.TM. from Crown7; LOGIC.TM. and THE CUBAN.TM.
by LOGIC Technology; LUCI.RTM. by Luciano Smokes Inc.; METRO.RTM.
by Nicotek, LLC; NJOY.RTM. and ONEJOY.TM. by Sottera, Inc.; NO.
7.TM. by SS Choice LLC; PREMIUM ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE.TM. by
PremiumEstore LLC; RAPP E-MYSTICK.TM. by Ruyan America, Inc.; RED
DRAGON.TM. by Red Dragon Products, LLC; RUYAN.RTM. by Ruyan Group
(Holdings) Ltd.; SF.RTM. by Smoker Friendly International, LLC;
GREEN SMART SMOKER.RTM. by The Smart Smoking Electronic Cigarette
Company Ltd.; SMOKE ASSIST.RTM. by Coastline Products LLC; SMOKING
EVERYWHERE.RTM. by Smoking Everywhere, Inc.; V2CIGS.TM. by VMR
Products LLC; VAPOR NINE.TM. by VaporNine LLC; VAPOR4LIFE.RTM. by
Vapor 4 Life, Inc.; VEPPO.TM. by E-CigaretteDirect, LLC; VUSE.RTM.
by R. J. Reynolds Vapor Company; MISTIC MENTHOL product by Mistic
Ecigs; the VYPE product by CN Creative Ltd; IQOS.TM. by Philip
Morris International; GLO.TM. by British American Tobacco; MARK TEN
products by Nu Mark LLC; and the JUUL product by Juul Labs, Inc.
Yet other electrically powered aerosol delivery devices, and in
particular those devices that have been characterized as so-called
electronic cigarettes, have been marketed under the tradenames
COOLER VISIONS.TM.; DIRECT E-CIG.TM.; DRAGONFLY.TM.; EMIST.TM.;
EVERSMOKE.TM.; GAMUCCI.RTM.; HYBRID FLAME.TM.; KNIGHT STICKS.TM.;
ROYAL BLUES.TM.; SMOKETIP.RTM.; and SOUTH BEACH SMOKE.TM..
[0006] However, it may be desirable to provide aerosol delivery
devices with improved electronics such as may extend usability of
the devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices
configured to produce aerosol and which aerosol delivery devices,
in some implementations, may be referred to as electronic
cigarettes or heat-not-burn cigarettes. The present disclosure
includes, without limitation, the following example
implementations.
[0008] Some example implementations provide an aerosol delivery
device comprising a housing structured to retain an aerosol
precursor composition; a sensor configured to produce a measurement
of pressure caused by airflow through at least a portion of the
housing, and convert the measurement of pressure to a corresponding
electrical signal; a first terminal and a second terminal
configured to connect a power source to the aerosol delivery
device; a heating element configured to convert electricity to heat
and thereby vaporize components of the aerosol precursor
composition; a control component including a processor configured
to receive the corresponding electrical signal and in response
connect the power source to a load including the heating element
and thereby power the heating element; and a voltage regulator
coupled to and between the sensor and the first terminal, the
voltage regulator being configured to step down voltage from the
power source to the sensor and thereby power the sensor.
[0009] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the control component
further includes a high-side load switch between the sensor and the
load, the high-side load switch being controllable by the processor
to connect and disconnect the power source to and from the load
including the heating element.
[0010] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the control component
further includes at least a near-field communication (NFC) tag
coupled to the processor and configured to enable the aerosol
delivery device to establish NFC communication with a computing
device equipped with a NFC reader; and a second high-side load
switch between the first terminal and the NFC tag, the second
high-side load switch being controllable by the processor to
connect and disconnect the power source to and from the NFC tag,
and limit input current to the NFC tag, wherein the processor is
configured to control the high-side load switch to connect the
power source to the load including the heating element only when
the power source is disconnected from the NFC tag.
[0011] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the control component
further includes at least a near-field communication (NFC) tag
coupled to the processor and configured to enable the aerosol
delivery device to establish NFC communication with a computing
device equipped with a NFC reader; and a second high-side load
switch between the first terminal and the NFC tag, the second
high-side load switch being controllable by the processor to
connect and disconnect the power source to and from the NFC tag,
and limit input current to the NFC tag.
[0012] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the NFC tag includes at
least an antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to
store or generate information including at least an authentication
indicia that enables authentication of the aerosol delivery device
or a component thereof, wherein the antenna is coupleable with a
corresponding antenna of the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer
of the information to the computing device to enable authentication
of the aerosol delivery device or the component thereof.
[0013] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the IC is configured to
access an event counter configured to maintain a count that
indicates a remaining amount of the aerosol precursor composition,
and authentication of the aerosol delivery device is authenticated
only when the count is positive.
[0014] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the IC is configured to
access an event counter configured to maintain a count that
indicates a remaining amount of the aerosol precursor composition,
and the processor is configured to generate or cease generation of
user-perceptible feedback when the count reaches a threshold level
that indicates a low remaining amount of the aerosol precursor
composition.
[0015] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the control component
further includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled to and
controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide the
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the aerosol delivery
device only when the count is above the threshold level.
[0016] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the IC is further
configured to cause the antenna to transmit radio-frequency (RF)
energy to the computing device or a second computing device
equipped with power harvesting circuitry configured to receive the
RF energy, and harvest power from the RF energy to power or charge
at least one electronic component of the computing device or second
computing device.
[0017] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the computing device is a
point-of-sale (POS) terminal, and the NFC tag includes at least an
antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to store or
generate information including at least payment information that
enables a mobile payment transaction from the aerosol delivery
device, wherein the antenna is coupleable with a corresponding
antenna of the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer of the
information to the POS terminal to enable the mobile payment
transaction from the aerosol delivery device.
[0018] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the control component
further includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled to and
controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the aerosol delivery
device.
[0019] Some example implementations provide a control body for an
aerosol delivery device, the control body comprising a sensor
configured to produce a measurement of pressure caused by airflow
through at least a portion of the housing, and convert the
measurement of pressure to a corresponding electrical signal; a
first terminal and a second terminal configured to connect a power
source to the aerosol delivery device; a heating element or
terminals configured to connect the heating element to the control
body, the heating element being configured to convert electricity
to heat and thereby vaporize components of an aerosol precursor
composition; a control component including a processor configured
to receive the corresponding electrical signal and in response
connect the power source to a load including the heating element
and thereby power the heating element; and a voltage regulator
coupled to and between the sensor and the first terminal, the
voltage regulator being configured to step down voltage from the
power source to the sensor and thereby power the sensor.
[0020] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the control component further
includes a high-side load switch between the sensor and the load,
the high-side load switch being controllable by the processor to
connect and disconnect the power source to and from the load
including the heating element.
[0021] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the control component further
includes at least a near-field communication (NFC) tag coupled to
the processor and configured to enable the control body to
establish NFC communication with a computing device equipped with a
NFC reader; and a second high-side load switch between the first
terminal and the NFC tag, the second high-side load switch being
controllable by the processor to connect and disconnect the power
source to and from the NFC tag, and limit input current to the NFC
tag, wherein the processor is configured to control the high-side
load switch to connect the power source to the load including the
heating element only when the power source is disconnected from the
NFC tag.
[0022] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the control component further
includes at least a near-field communication (NFC) tag coupled to
the processor and configured to enable the control body to
establish NFC communication with a computing device equipped with a
NFC reader; and a second high-side load switch between the first
terminal and the NFC tag, the second high-side load switch being
controllable by the processor to connect and disconnect the power
source to and from the NFC tag, and limit input current to the NFC
tag.
[0023] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the NFC tag includes at least an
antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to store or
generate information including at least an authentication indicia
that enables authentication of the control body or a cartridge
including the heating element coupled to the terminals thereof,
wherein the antenna is coupleable with a corresponding antenna of
the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer of the information to
the computing device to enable authentication of the control body
or the component thereof.
[0024] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the IC is configured to access
an event counter configured to maintain a count that indicates a
remaining amount of the aerosol precursor composition, and
authentication of the control body is authenticated only when the
count is positive.
[0025] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the IC is configured to access
an event counter configured to maintain a count that indicates a
remaining amount of the aerosol precursor composition, and the
processor is configured to generate or cease generation of
user-perceptible feedback when the count reaches a threshold level
that indicates a low remaining amount of the aerosol precursor
composition.
[0026] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the control component further
includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled to and
controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide the
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the control body only
when the count is above the threshold level.
[0027] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the IC is further configured to
cause the antenna to transmit radio-frequency (RF) energy to the
computing device or a second computing device equipped with power
harvesting circuitry configured to receive the RF energy, and
harvest power from the RF energy to power or charge at least one
electronic component of the computing device or second computing
device.
[0028] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the computing device is a
point-of-sale (POS) terminal, and the NFC tag includes at least an
antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to store or
generate information including at least payment information that
enables a mobile payment transaction from the aerosol delivery
device, wherein the antenna is coupleable with a corresponding
antenna of the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer of the
information to the POS terminal to enable the mobile payment
transaction from the aerosol delivery device.
[0029] In some example implementations of the control body of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the control component further
includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled to and
controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the control body.
[0030] Some example implementations provide an aerosol delivery
device comprising a housing structured to retain an aerosol
precursor composition; a first terminal and a second terminal
configured to connect a power source to the aerosol delivery
device; a heating element configured to convert electricity to heat
and thereby vaporize components of the aerosol precursor
composition; a control component including a processor configured
to connect the power source to a load including the heating element
and thereby power the heating element, and further including at
least: a near-field communication (NFC) tag coupled to the
processor and configured to enable the aerosol delivery device to
establish NFC communication with a computing device equipped with a
NFC reader; and a high-side load switch between the first terminal
and the NFC tag, the second high-side load switch being
controllable by the processor to connect and disconnect the power
source to and from the NFC tag, and limit input current to the NFC
tag.
[0031] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the NFC tag includes at
least an antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to
store or generate information including at least an authentication
indicia that enables authentication of the aerosol delivery device
or a component thereof, wherein the antenna is coupleable with a
corresponding antenna of the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer
of the information to the computing device to enable authentication
of the aerosol delivery device or the component thereof.
[0032] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the computing device is a
point-of-sale (POS) terminal, and the NFC tag includes at least an
antenna; and an integrated circuit (IC) configured to store or
generate information including at least payment information that
enables a mobile payment transaction from the aerosol delivery
device, wherein the antenna is coupleable with a corresponding
antenna of the NFC reader to enable wireless transfer of the
information to the POS terminal to enable the mobile payment
transaction from the aerosol delivery device.
[0033] In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery
device of any preceding example implementation, or any combination
of any preceding example implementations, the control component
further includes a piezoceramic vibration device coupled to and
controllable by the processor to vibrate and thereby provide
user-perceptible feedback during operation of the aerosol delivery
device.
[0034] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following
detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which
are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any
combination of two, three, four or more features or elements set
forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or
elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific
example implementation described herein. This disclosure is
intended to be read holistically such that any separable features
or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and example
implementations, should be viewed as combinable, unless the context
of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.
[0035] It will therefore be appreciated that this Brief Summary is
provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example
implementations so as to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that
the above described example implementations are merely examples and
should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the
disclosure in any way. Other example implementations, aspects and
advantages will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some
described example implementations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0036] Having thus described aspects of the disclosure in the
foregoing general terms, reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
and wherein:
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol delivery
device including a comprising a cartridge and a control body that
are coupled to one another, according to an example implementation
of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away view of the aerosol delivery
device of FIG. 1 in which the cartridge and control body are
decoupled from one another, according to an example
implementation;
[0039] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a perspective view of an aerosol
delivery device comprising a control body and an aerosol source
member that are respectively coupled to one another and decoupled
from one another, according to another example implementation of
the present disclosure;
[0040] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate respectively a front view of and a
sectional view through the aerosol delivery device of FIGS. 3 and
4, according to an example implementation;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device
that may be or incorporate functionality of the aerosol delivery
devices of FIGS. 1-6, according to various example implementations;
and
[0042] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a system including the aerosol
delivery device of FIG. 7 equipped with near field communication
(NFC) for wireless communication with a computing device, according
to various example implementations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] The present disclosure will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to example implementations thereof.
These example implementations are described so that this disclosure
will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of
the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure
may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed
as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these
implementations are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the" and the like
include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Also, while reference may be made herein to quantitative
measures, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless
otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be
absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that
may occur, such as those due to engineering tolerances or the
like.
[0044] As described hereinafter, example implementations of the
present disclosure relate to aerosol delivery devices. Aerosol
delivery devices according to the present disclosure use electrical
energy to heat a material (preferably without combusting the
material to any significant degree) to form an inhalable substance;
and components of such systems have the form of articles most
preferably are sufficiently compact to be considered hand-held
devices. That is, use of components of preferred aerosol delivery
devices does not result in the production of smoke in the sense
that aerosol results principally from by-products of combustion or
pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use of those preferred systems
results in the production of vapors resulting from volatilization
or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein. In some
example implementations, components of aerosol delivery devices may
be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and those electronic
cigarettes most preferably incorporate tobacco and/or components
derived from tobacco, and hence deliver tobacco derived components
in aerosol form.
[0045] Aerosol generating components of certain preferred aerosol
delivery devices may provide many of the sensations (e.g.,
inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes or flavors,
organoleptic effects, physical feel, use rituals, visual cues such
as those provided by visible aerosol, and the like) of smoking a
cigarette, cigar or pipe that is employed by lighting and burning
tobacco (and hence inhaling tobacco smoke), without any substantial
degree of combustion of any component thereof. For example, the
user of an aerosol delivery device in accordance with some example
implementations of the present disclosure can hold and use that
component much like a smoker employs a traditional type of smoking
article, draw on one end of that component for inhalation of
aerosol produced by that component, take or draw puffs at selected
intervals of time, and the like.
[0046] While the systems are generally described herein in terms of
implementations associated with aerosol delivery devices such as
so-called "e-cigarettes," "tobacco heating products" and the like,
it should be understood that the mechanisms, components, features,
and methods may be embodied in many different forms and associated
with a variety of articles. For example, the description provided
herein may be employed in conjunction with implementations of
traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes,
etc.), heat-not-burn cigarettes, and related packaging for any of
the products disclosed herein. Accordingly, it should be understood
that the description of the mechanisms, components, features, and
methods disclosed herein are discussed in terms of implementations
relating to aerosol delivery devices by way of example only, and
may be embodied and used in various other products and methods.
[0047] Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure also can
be characterized as being vapor-producing articles or medicament
delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices can be adapted so
as to provide one or more substances (e.g., flavors and/or
pharmaceutical active ingredients) in an inhalable form or state.
For example, inhalable substances can be substantially in the form
of a vapor (i.e., a substance that is in the gas phase at a
temperature lower than its critical point). Alternatively,
inhalable substances can be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a
suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas).
For purposes of simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is
meant to include vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type
suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether
or not of a form that might be considered to be smoke-like.
[0048] In use, aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure
may be subjected to many of the physical actions employed by an
individual in using a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a
cigarette, cigar or pipe that is employed by lighting and inhaling
tobacco). For example, the user of an aerosol delivery device of
the present disclosure can hold that article much like a
traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of that
article for inhalation of aerosol produced by that article, take
puffs at selected intervals of time, etc.
[0049] Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure generally
include a number of components provided within an outer housing,
which may be referred to as a body or shell. The overall design of
the housing can vary, and the format or configuration of the
housing that can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol
delivery device can vary. Typically, an elongated body resembling
the shape of a cigarette or cigar can be a formed from a single,
unitary housing or the elongated housing can be formed of two or
more separable bodies. For example, an aerosol delivery device can
comprise an elongated housing that can be substantially tubular in
shape and, as such, resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette
or cigar. In one example, all of the components of the aerosol
delivery device are contained within one housing. Alternatively, an
aerosol delivery device can comprise two or more housings that are
joined and are separable. For example, an aerosol delivery device
can possess at one end a control body comprising a housing
containing one or more reusable components (e.g., an accumulator
such as a rechargeable battery, solid-state battery (SSB),
thin-film SSB, rechargeable supercapacitor, and/or lithium ion or
hybrid lithium ion supercapacitor, and various electronics for
controlling the operation of that article), and at the other end
and removably coupleable thereto, an outer body or shell containing
a disposable portion (e.g., a disposable flavor-containing
cartridge). More specific formats, configurations and arrangements
of components within the single housing type of unit or within a
multi-piece separable housing type of unit will be evident in light
of the further disclosure provided herein. Additionally, various
aerosol delivery device designs and component arrangements can be
appreciated upon consideration of the commercially available
electronic aerosol delivery devices. It will be appreciated that
alternative non-tubular housing form factors can also be used,
including, for example, device housings having a shape and size
generally approximating a pack of cigarettes and form factors such
as used on the GLO.TM. by British American Tobacco and IQOS.TM. by
Philip Morris International, Inc.
[0050] As will be discussed in more detail below, aerosol delivery
devices of the present disclosure comprise some combination of a
power source (i.e., an electrical power source), at least one
control component (e.g., means for actuating, controlling,
regulating and ceasing power for heat generation, such as by
controlling electrical current flow from the power source to other
components of the aerosol delivery device), a heating element
(e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or other component
and/or an inductive coil or other associated components and/or one
or more radiant heating elements), and an aerosol precursor
composition (e.g., a solid tobacco material, a semi-solid tobacco
material or a liquid aerosol precursor composition) capable of
yielding an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, and a
mouth end region or tip to allow drawing upon the aerosol delivery
device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined airflow path through
the article such that aerosol generated can be withdrawn therefrom
upon draw).
[0051] Alignment of the components within the aerosol delivery
device of the present disclosure can vary. In specific
implementations, the aerosol precursor composition can be located
near an end of the aerosol delivery device which may be configured
to be positioned proximal to the mouth of a user so as to maximize
aerosol delivery to the user. Other configurations, however, are
not excluded. Generally, the heating element may be positioned
sufficiently near the aerosol precursor composition so that heat
from the heating element can volatilize the aerosol precursor (as
well as one or more flavorants, medicaments, or the like that may
likewise be provided for delivery to a user) and form an aerosol
for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats the
aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is formed, released, or
generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by a consumer.
It should be noted that the foregoing terms are meant to be
interchangeable such that reference to release, releasing,
releases, or released includes form or generate, forming or
generating, forms or generates, and formed or generated.
Specifically, an inhalable substance is released in the form of a
vapor or aerosol or mixture thereof, wherein such terms are also
interchangeably used herein except where otherwise specified.
[0052] As noted above, the aerosol delivery device may incorporate
a battery, SSB or other power source to provide current flow
sufficient to provide various functionalities to the aerosol
delivery device, such as powering of a heating element, powering of
control systems, powering of indicators, and the like. The power
source can take on various implementations. Preferably, the power
source is able to deliver sufficient power to rapidly activate the
heating element to provide for aerosol formation and power the
aerosol delivery device through use for a desired duration of time.
The power source preferably is sized to fit conveniently within the
aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be
easily handled. Additionally, a preferred power source is of a
sufficiently light weight to not detract from a desirable smoking
experience.
[0053] More specific formats, configurations and arrangements of
components within the aerosol delivery device of the present
disclosure will be evident in light of the further disclosure
provided hereinafter. Additionally, the selection of various
aerosol delivery device components can be appreciated upon
consideration of the commercially available electronic aerosol
delivery devices. Further, the arrangement of the components within
the aerosol delivery device can also be appreciated upon
consideration of the commercially available electronic aerosol
delivery devices.
[0054] As described hereinafter, the present disclosure relates to
aerosol delivery devices. Aerosol delivery devices may be
configured to heat an aerosol precursor composition (sometimes
referred to as an inhalable substance medium) to produce an aerosol
(an inhalable substance). The aerosol precursor composition may
comprise one or more of a solid tobacco material, a semi-solid
tobacco material, and a liquid aerosol precursor composition. In
some implementations, the aerosol delivery devices may be
configured to heat and produce an aerosol from a fluid aerosol
precursor composition (e.g., a liquid aerosol precursor
composition). Such aerosol delivery devices may include so-called
electronic cigarettes.
[0055] Liquid aerosol precursor composition, also referred to as a
vapor precursor composition or "e-liquid," may comprise a variety
of components including, by way of example, a polyhydric alcohol
(e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof), nicotine,
tobacco, tobacco extract, and/or flavorants. Some liquid aerosol
precursor compositions that may be used in conjunction with various
implementations may include one or more acids such as levulinic
acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, benzoic acid,
fumaric acid, combinations thereof, and the like. Inclusion of an
acid(s) in liquid aerosol precursor compositions including nicotine
may provide a protonated liquid aerosol precursor composition,
including nicotine in salt form. Representative types of liquid
aerosol precursor components and formulations are set forth and
characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 9,254,002 to Chong et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos.
2013/0008457 to Zheng et al., 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et al., and
2015/0020830 to Koller, as well as PCT Pat. App. Pub. No. WO
2014/182736 to Bowen et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 to Collett
et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be employed include
the aerosol precursors that have been incorporated in any of a
number of the representative products identified above. Also
desirable are the so-called "smoke juices" for electronic
cigarettes that have been available from Johnson Creek Enterprises
LLC. Still further example aerosol precursor compositions are sold
under the brand names BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, THE MILKMAN E-LIQUID,
FIVE PAWNS, THE VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, THE STEAM FACTORY,
MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MITTEN VAPORS, DR.
CRIMMY'S V-LIQUID, SMILEY E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD,
CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELEOS, PINUP VAPORS, SPACE
JAM, MT. BAKER VAPOR, and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN. Implementations of
effervescent materials can be used with the aerosol precursor, and
are described, by way of example, in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2012/0055494 to Hunt et al., which is incorporated herein by
reference. Further, the use of effervescent materials is described,
for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,368 to Niazi et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,178,878 to Wehling et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,264 to Wehling
et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,590 to Pather et al., U.S. Pat. No.
7,381,667 to Bergquist et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,541 to Crawford
et al, U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al., and U.S. Pat.
No. 9,307,787 to Sun et al., as well as U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos.
2010/0018539 to Brinkley et al., and PCT Pat. App. Pub. No. WO
97/06786 to Johnson et al., all of which are incorporated by
reference herein.
[0056] Representative types of substrates, reservoirs or other
components for supporting the aerosol precursor are described in
U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2014/0261487 to Chapman et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2015/0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2015/0216232 to Bless et al., all of which are incorporated herein
by reference. Additionally, various wicking materials, and the
configuration and operation of those wicking materials within
certain types of electronic cigarettes, are set forth in U.S. Pat.
No. 8,910,640 to Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0057] In other implementations, the aerosol delivery devices may
comprise heat-not-burn devices, configured to heat a solid aerosol
precursor composition (e.g., an extruded tobacco rod) or a
semi-solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a glycerin-loaded
tobacco paste). The aerosol precursor composition may comprise
tobacco-containing beads, tobacco shreds, tobacco strips,
reconstituted tobacco material, or combinations thereof, and/or a
mix of finely ground tobacco, tobacco extract, spray dried tobacco
extract, or other tobacco form mixed with optional inorganic
materials (such as calcium carbonate), optional flavors, and
aerosol forming materials to form a substantially solid or moldable
(e.g., extrudable) substrate. Representative types of solid and
semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and formulations are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,538 to Thomas et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 8,464,726 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2015/0083150 to Conner et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2015/0157052
to Ademe et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2017/0000188 to
Nordskog et al., all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Further representative types of solid and semi-solid aerosol
precursor compositions and arrangements include those found in the
NEOSTIKS.TM. consumable aerosol source members for the GLO.TM.
product by British American Tobacco and in the HEETS.TM. consumable
aerosol source members for the IQOS.TM. product by Philip Morris
International, Inc.
[0058] In various implementations, the inhalable substance
specifically may be a tobacco component or a tobacco-derived
material (i.e., a material that is found naturally in tobacco that
may be isolated directly from the tobacco or synthetically
prepared). For example, the aerosol precursor composition may
comprise tobacco extracts or fractions thereof combined with an
inert substrate. The aerosol precursor composition may further
comprise unburned tobacco or a composition containing unburned
tobacco that, when heated to a temperature below its combustion
temperature, releases an inhalable substance. In some
implementations, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise
tobacco condensates or fractions thereof (i.e., condensed
components of the smoke produced by the combustion of tobacco,
leaving flavors and, possibly, nicotine).
[0059] Tobacco materials useful in the present disclosure can vary
and may include, for example, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco,
Oriental tobacco or Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark-fired
tobacco and Rustica tobaccos, as well as other rare or specialty
tobaccos, or blends thereof. Tobacco materials also can include
so-called "blended" forms and processed forms, such as processed
tobacco stems (e.g., cut-rolled or cut-puffed stems), volume
expanded tobacco (e.g., puffed tobacco, such as dry ice expanded
tobacco (DIET), preferably in cut filler form), reconstituted
tobaccos (e.g., reconstituted tobaccos manufactured using
paper-making type or cast sheet type processes). Various
representative tobacco types, processed types of tobaccos, and
types of tobacco blends are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,224 to
Lawson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,888 to Perfetti et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 5,056,537 to Brown et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,942 to
Brinkley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,930 to Gentry, U.S. Pat. No.
5,360,023 to Blakley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,936 to Shafer et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,096 to Li et al., and U.S. Pat. No.
7,017,585 to Li et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,066 to Lawson et al.,
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2004/0255965 to Perfetti et al., PCT Pat.
App. Pub. No. WO 02/37990 to Bereman, and Bombick et al., Fund.
Appl. Toxicol., 39, p. 11-17 (1997), which are incorporated herein
by reference. Further example tobacco compositions that may be
useful in a smoking device, including according to the present
disclosure, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et
al., which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0060] Still further, the aerosol precursor composition may
comprise an inert substrate having the inhalable substance, or a
precursor thereof, integrated therein or otherwise deposited
thereon. For example, a liquid comprising the inhalable substance
may be coated on or absorbed or adsorbed into the inert substrate
such that, upon application of heat, the inhalable substance is
released in a form that can be withdrawn from the inventive article
through application of positive or negative pressure. In some
aspects, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a blend of
flavorful and aromatic tobaccos in cut filler form. In another
aspect, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a
reconstituted tobacco material, such as described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,807,809 to Pryor et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,143 to Pryor et al.
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference. For further information regarding
suitable aerosol precursor composition, see U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 15/916,834 to Sur et al., filed Mar. 9, 2018, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0061] Regardless of the type of aerosol precursor composition
heated, aerosol delivery devices may include a heating element
configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition. In some
implementations, the heating element is an induction heater. Such
heaters often comprise an induction transmitter and an induction
receiver. The induction transmitter may include a coil configured
to create an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field
that varies periodically with time) when alternating current is
directed through it. The induction receiver may be at least
partially located or received within the induction transmitter and
may include a conductive material. By directing alternating current
through the induction transmitter, eddy currents may be generated
in the induction receiver via induction. The eddy currents flowing
through the resistance of the material defining the induction
receiver may heat it by Joule heating (i.e., through the Joule
effect). The induction receiver, which may define an atomizer, may
be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor
composition positioned in proximity to the induction receiver.
Various implementations of an aerosol delivery device with an
induction heater are described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2017/0127722 to Davis et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2017/0202266
to Sur et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/352,153 to Sur
et al., filed Nov. 15, 2016, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/799,365 to Sebastian et al., filed Oct. 31, 2017, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/836,086 to Sur, all of which are
incorporated by reference herein.
[0062] In other implementations including those described more
particularly herein, the heating element is a conductive heater
such as in the case of electrical resistance heater. These heaters
may be configured to produce heat when an electrical current is
directed through it. In various implementations, a conductive
heater may be provided in a variety forms, such as in the form of a
foil, a foam, discs, spirals, fibers, wires, films, yarns, strips,
ribbons or cylinders. Such heaters often include a metal material
and are configured to produce heat as a result of the electrical
resistance associated with passing an electrical current through
it. Such resistive heaters may be positioned in proximity to and
heat an aerosol precursor composition to produce an aerosol. A
variety of conductive substrates that may be usable with the
present disclosure are described in the above-cited U.S. Pat. App.
Pub. No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith et al.
[0063] In some implementations aerosol delivery devices may include
a control body and a cartridge in the case of so-called electronic
cigarettes, or a control body and an aerosol source member in the
case of heat-not-burn devices. In the case of either electronic
cigarettes or heat-not-burn devices, the control body may be
reusable, whereas the cartridge/aerosol source member may be
configured for a limited number of uses and/or configured to be
disposable. The cartridge/aerosol source member may include the
aerosol precursor composition. In order to heat the aerosol
precursor composition, the heating element may be positioned in
contact with or proximate the aerosol precursor composition, such
as across the control body and cartridge, or in the control body in
which the aerosol source member may be positioned. The control body
may include a power source, which may be rechargeable or
replaceable, and thereby the control body may be reused with
multiple cartridges/aerosol source members.
[0064] The control body may also include means to activate the
aerosol delivery device such as a pushbutton, touch-sensitive
surface or the like for manual control of the device. Additionally
or alternatively, the control body may include a flow sensor to
detect when a user draws on the cartridge/aerosol source member to
thereby activate the aerosol delivery device.
[0065] In various implementations, the aerosol delivery device
according to the present disclosure may have a variety of overall
shapes, including, but not limited to an overall shape that may be
defined as being substantially rod-like or substantially tubular
shaped or substantially cylindrically shaped. In the
implementations shown in and described with reference to the
accompanying figures, the aerosol delivery device has a
substantially round cross-section; however, other cross-sectional
shapes (e.g., oval, square, triangle, etc.) also are encompassed by
the present disclosure. Such language that is descriptive of the
physical shape of the article may also be applied to the individual
components thereof, including the control body and the
cartridge/aerosol source member. In other implementations, the
control body may take another handheld shape, such as a small box
shape.
[0066] In more specific implementations, one or both of the control
body and the cartridge/aerosol source member may be referred to as
being disposable or as being reusable. For example, the control
body may have a power source such as a replaceable battery or a
rechargeable battery, SSB, thin-film SSB, rechargeable
supercapacitor, lithium ion or hybrid lithium ion supercapacitor,
or the like. One example of a power source is a TKI-1550
rechargeable lithium-ion battery produced by Tadiran Batteries GmbH
of Germany. In another implementation, a useful power source may be
a N50-AAA CADNICA nickel-cadmium cell produced by Sanyo Electric
Company, Ltd., of Japan. In other implementations, a plurality of
such batteries, for example providing 1.2-volts each, may be
connected in series. In some examples, then, the power source may
be combined with any type of recharging technology, including
connection to a wall charger, connection to a car charger (i.e.,
cigarette lighter receptacle), and connection to a computer, such
as through a universal serial bus (USB) cable or connector (e.g.,
USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, USB-C), connection to a photovoltaic cell
(sometimes referred to as a solar cell) or solar panel of solar
cells, or a wireless charger such as charger that uses inductive
wireless charging (including for example, wireless charging
according to the Qi wireless charging standard from the Wireless
Power Consortium (WPC)), or a wireless radio frequency (RF) based
charger. An example of an inductive wireless charging system is
described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2017/0112196 to Sur et al.,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further,
in some implementations in the case of an electronic cigarette, the
cartridge may comprise a single-use cartridge, as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 8,910,639 to Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0067] Examples of power sources are described in U.S. Pat. No.
9,484,155 to Peckerar et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2017/0112191 to Sur et al., filed Oct. 21, 2015, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference. With respect to the
flow sensor, representative current regulating components and other
current controlling components including various microcontrollers,
sensors, and switches for aerosol delivery devices are described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901,
4,947,874, and 4,947,875, all to Brooks et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to
Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 8,205,622 to Pan, U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 to Collet et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,423,152 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Pat. No.
9,439,454 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2015/0257445 to Henry et al., all of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0068] An input element may be included with the aerosol delivery
device (and may replace or supplement a flow sensor). The input may
be included to allow a user to control functions of the device
and/or for output of information to a user. Any component or
combination of components may be utilized as an input for
controlling the function of the device. For example, one or more
pushbuttons may be used as described in U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0245658
to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.
Likewise, a touchscreen may be used as described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/643,626, filed Mar. 10, 2015, to Sears et
al., which is incorporated herein by reference. As a further
example, components adapted for gesture recognition based on
specified movements of the aerosol delivery device may be used as
an input. See U.S. Pub. 2016/0158782 to Henry et al., which is
incorporated herein by reference. As still a further example, a
capacitive sensor may be implemented on the aerosol delivery device
to enable a user to provide input, such as by touching a surface of
the device on which the capacitive sensor is implemented.
[0069] As indicated above, the aerosol delivery device may include
various electronics such as at least one control component. A
suitable control component may include a number of electronic
components, and in some examples may be formed of a printed circuit
board (PCB). In some examples, the electronic components include
processing circuitry configured to perform data processing,
application execution, or other processing, control or management
services according to one or more example implementations. The
processing circuitry may include a processor embodied in a variety
of forms such as at least one processor core, microprocessor,
coprocessor, controller, microcontroller or various other computing
or processing devices including one or more integrated circuits
such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated
circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), some combination
thereof, or the like. In some examples, the processing circuitry
may include memory coupled to or integrated with the processor, and
which may store data, computer program instructions executable by
the processor, some combination thereof, or the like.
[0070] In some examples, the control component may include one or
more input/output peripherals, which may be coupled to or
integrated with the processing circuitry. More particularly, the
control component may include a communication interface to enable
wireless communication with one or more networks, computing devices
or other appropriately-enabled devices. Examples of suitable
communication interfaces are disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2016/0261020 to Marion et al., the content of which is incorporated
herein by reference. Another example of a suitable communication
interface is the CC3200 single chip wireless microcontroller unit
(MCU) from Texas Instruments. And examples of suitable manners
according to which the aerosol delivery device may be configured to
wirelessly communicate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2016/0007651 to Ampolini et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2016/0219933 to Henry, Jr. et al., each of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0071] Still further components can be utilized in the aerosol
delivery device of the present disclosure. One example of a
suitable component is an indicator such as light-emitting diodes
(LEDs), quantum dot-based LEDs or the like, which may be
illuminated with use of the aerosol delivery device. Examples of
suitable LED components, and the configurations and uses thereof,
are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 8,499,766 to Newton, U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959 to
Scatterday, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,451,791 to Sears et al., all of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0072] Other indices of operation are also encompassed by the
present disclosure. For example, visual indicators of operation
also include changes in light color or intensity to show
progression of the smoking experience. Tactile (haptic) indicators
of operation and sound (audio) indicators of operation similarly
are encompassed by the disclosure. Moreover, combinations of such
indicators of operation also are suitable to be used in a single
smoking article. According to another aspect, the aerosol delivery
device may include one or more indicators or indicia, such as, for
example, a display configured to provide information corresponding
to the operation of the smoking article such as, for example, the
amount of power remaining in the power source, progression of the
smoking experience, indication corresponding to activating a heat
source, and/or the like.
[0073] Yet other components are also contemplated. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al. discloses indicators for
smoking articles; U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr.
discloses piezoelectric sensors that can be associated with the
mouth-end of a device to detect user lip activity associated with
taking a draw and then trigger heating of a heating device; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for
controlling energy flow into a heating load array in response to
pressure drop through a mouthpiece; U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,148 to
Harris et al. discloses receptacles in a smoking device that
include an identifier that detects a non-uniformity in infrared
transmissivity of an inserted component and a controller that
executes a detection routine as the component is inserted into the
receptacle; U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al.
describes a defined executable power cycle with multiple
differential phases; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al.
discloses photonic-optronic components; U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to
Counts et al. discloses means for altering draw resistance through
a smoking device; U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses
specific battery configurations for use in smoking devices; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging
systems for use with smoking devices; U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to
Fernando et al. discloses computer interfacing means for smoking
devices to facilitate charging and allow computer control of the
device; U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al. discloses
identification systems for smoking devices; and PCT Pat. App. Pub.
No. WO 2010/003480 by Flick discloses a fluid flow sensing system
indicative of a puff in an aerosol generating system; all of the
foregoing disclosures being incorporated herein by reference.
[0074] Further examples of components related to electronic aerosol
delivery articles and disclosing materials or components that may
be used in the present article include U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to
Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,176 to Adams
et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,287 to White, U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,218
to Voges, U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,854,461 to Nichols, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No.
7,513,253 to Kobayashi, U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,006 to Hamano, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,156,944 and
8,375,957 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,231 to Thorens et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 8,851,083 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,915,254 and
8,925,555 to Monsees et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et
al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2006/0196518 and 2009/0188490 to Hon,
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0024834 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Pat.
App. Pub. No. 2010/0307518 to Wang, PCT Pat. App. Pub. No. WO
2010/091593 to Hon, and PCT Pat. App. Pub. No. WO 2013/089551 to
Foo, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Further,
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2017/0099877 to Worm et al., discloses
capsules that may be included in aerosol delivery devices and
fob-shape configurations for aerosol delivery devices, and is
incorporated herein by reference. A variety of the materials
disclosed by the foregoing documents may be incorporated into the
present devices in various implementations, and all of the
foregoing disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.
[0075] Yet other features, controls or components that can be
incorporated into aerosol delivery devices of the present
disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,148 to Harris et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,954,979 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer
et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,742 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to
Fernando et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/0016550 to Katase,
U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2013/0192623 to Tucker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,427,022 to Leven et
al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0180553 to Kim et al., U.S. Pat.
App. Pub. No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub.
No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,302 to
DePiano et al., all of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0076] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate implementations of an aerosol
delivery device including a control body and a cartridge in the
case of an electronic cigarette. More specifically, FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrate an aerosol delivery device 100 according to an example
implementation of the present disclosure. As indicated, the aerosol
delivery device may include a control body 102 and a cartridge 104.
The control body and the cartridge can be permanently or detachably
aligned in a functioning relationship. In this regard, FIG. 1
illustrates a perspective view of the aerosol delivery device in a
coupled configuration, whereas FIG. 2 illustrates a partially
cut-away side view of the aerosol delivery device in a decoupled
configuration. The aerosol delivery device may be substantially
rod-like, substantially tubular shaped, or substantially
cylindrically shaped in some implementations when the control body
and the cartridge are in an assembled configuration.
[0077] The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 can be configured
to engage one another by a variety of connections, such as a press
fit (or interference fit) connection, a threaded connection, a
magnetic connection, or the like. As such, the control body may
include a first engaging element (e.g., a coupler) that is adapted
to engage a second engaging element (e.g., a connector) on the
cartridge. The first engaging element and the second engaging
element may be reversible. As an example, either of the first
engaging element or the second engaging element may be a male
thread, and the other may be a female thread. As a further example,
either the first engaging element or the second engaging element
may be a magnet, and the other may be a metal or a matching magnet.
In particular implementations, engaging elements may be defined
directly by existing components of the control body and the
cartridge. For example, the housing of the control body may define
a cavity at an end thereof that is configured to receive at least a
portion of the cartridge (e.g., a storage tank or other
shell-forming element of the cartridge). In particular, a storage
tank of the cartridge may be at least partially received within the
cavity of the control body while a mouthpiece of the cartridge
remains exposed outside of the cavity of the control body. The
cartridge may be retained within the cavity formed by the control
body housing, such as by an interference fit (e.g., through use of
detents and/or other features creating an interference engagement
between an outer surface of the cartridge and an interior surface
of a wall forming the control body cavity), by a magnetic
engagement (e.g., though use of magnets and/or magnetic metals
positioned within the cavity of the control body and positioned on
the cartridge), or by other suitable techniques.
[0078] As seen in the cut-away view illustrated in FIG. 2, the
control body 102 and cartridge 104 each include a number of
respective components. The components illustrated in FIG. 2 are
representative of the components that may be present in a control
body and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of
components that are encompassed by the present disclosure. As
shown, for example, the control body can be formed of a housing 206
(sometimes referred to as a control body shell) that can include
electronic components 208 such as a control component 210 (e.g.,
processing circuitry, etc.), a flow sensor 212, a power source 214
(e.g., battery, supercapacitor), and an indicator 216 (e.g., LED,
quantum dot-based LED), and such components can be variably
aligned. The power source may be rechargeable, and the control body
may include charging circuitry coupled to and configured to
controllably charge the power source.
[0079] The cartridge 104 can be formed of a housing 218 (sometimes
referred to as the cartridge shell) enclosing a reservoir 220
configured to retain the aerosol precursor composition, and
including a heating element 222 (sometimes referred to as a
heater). In various configurations, this structure may be referred
to as a tank; and accordingly, the terms "cartridge," "tank" and
the like may be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other
housing enclosing a reservoir for aerosol precursor composition,
and including a heating element.
[0080] As shown, in some examples, the reservoir 220 may be in
fluid communication with a liquid transport element 224 adapted to
wick or otherwise transport an aerosol precursor composition stored
in the reservoir housing to the heating element 222. In some
examples, a valve may be positioned between the reservoir and
heating element, and configured to control an amount of aerosol
precursor composition passed or delivered from the reservoir to the
heating element.
[0081] Various examples of materials configured to produce heat
when electrical current is applied therethrough may be employed to
form the heating element 222. The heating element in these examples
may be a resistive heating element such as a wire coil, micro
heater or the like. Example materials from which the heating
element may be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome, nickel,
stainless steel, indium tin oxide, tungsten, molybdenum disilicide
(MoSi.sub.2), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), molybdenum disilicide
doped with aluminum (Mo(Si,Al).sub.2), titanium, platinum, silver,
palladium, alloys of silver and palladium, graphite and
graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams and yarns),
conductive inks, boron doped silica, and ceramics (e.g., positive
or negative temperature coefficient ceramics). The heating element
may be resistive heating element or a heating element configured to
generate heat through induction. The heating element may be coated
by heat conductive ceramics such as aluminum nitride, silicon
carbide, beryllium oxide, alumina, silicon nitride, or their
composites. Example implementations of heating elements useful in
aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are
further described below, and can be incorporated into devices such
as those described herein.
[0082] An opening 226 may be present in the housing 218 (e.g., at
the mouth end) to allow for egress of formed aerosol from the
cartridge 104.
[0083] The cartridge 104 also may include one or more electronic
components 228, which may include an integrated circuit, a memory
component (e.g., EEPROM, flash memory), a sensor, or the like. The
electronic components may be adapted to communicate with the
control component 210 and/or with an external device by wired or
wireless means. The electronic components may be positioned
anywhere within the cartridge or a base 230 thereof.
[0084] Although the control component 210 and the flow sensor 212
are illustrated separately, it is understood that various
electronic components 208 including the control component and the
flow sensor may be combined on a PCB that supports and electrically
connects the electronic components. Further, the PCB may be
positioned horizontally relative the illustration of FIG. 1 in that
the PCB can be lengthwise parallel to the central axis of the
control body. In some examples, the air flow sensor may comprise
its own PCB or other base element to which it can be attached. In
some examples, a flexible PCB may be utilized. A flexible PCB may
be configured into a variety of shapes, include substantially
tubular shapes. In some examples, a flexible PCB may be combined
with, layered onto, or form part or all of a heater substrate.
[0085] The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may include
components adapted to facilitate a fluid engagement therebetween.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control body can include a coupler
232 having a cavity 234 therein. The base 230 of the cartridge can
be adapted to engage the coupler and can include a projection 236
adapted to fit within the cavity. Such engagement can facilitate a
stable connection between the control body and the cartridge as
well as establish an electrical connection between the power source
214 and control component 210 in the control body and the heating
element 222 in the cartridge. Further, the housing 206 can include
an air intake 238, which may be a notch in the housing where it
connects to the coupler that allows for passage of ambient air
around the coupler and into the housing where it then passes
through the cavity 234 of the coupler and into the cartridge
through the projection 236.
[0086] A coupler and a base useful according to the present
disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0261495 to
Novak et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. For
example, the coupler 232 as seen in FIG. 2 may define an outer
periphery 240 configured to mate with an inner periphery 242 of the
base 230. In one example the inner periphery of the base may define
a radius that is substantially equal to, or slightly greater than,
a radius of the outer periphery of the coupler. Further, the
coupler may define one or more protrusions 244 at the outer
periphery configured to engage one or more recesses 246 defined at
the inner periphery of the base. However, various other examples of
structures, shapes and components may be employed to couple the
base to the coupler. In some examples the connection between the
base of the cartridge 104 and the coupler of the control body 102
may be substantially permanent, whereas in other examples the
connection therebetween may be releasable such that, for example,
the control body may be reused with one or more additional
cartridges that may be disposable and/or refillable.
[0087] The reservoir 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 can be a container
or can be a fibrous reservoir, as presently described. For example,
the reservoir can comprise one or more layers of nonwoven fibers
substantially formed into the shape of a tube encircling the
interior of the housing 218, in this example. An aerosol precursor
composition can be retained in the reservoir. Liquid components,
for example, can be sorptively retained by the reservoir. The
reservoir can be in fluid connection with the liquid transport
element 224. The liquid transport element can transport the aerosol
precursor composition stored in the reservoir via capillary action
to the heating element 222 that is in the form of a metal wire coil
in this example. As such, the heating element is in a heating
arrangement with the liquid transport element.
[0088] In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the
reservoir 220, and the amount and/or mass of aerosol precursor
composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by a
micro pump, such as one based on microelectromechanical systems
(MEMS) technology. Other example implementations of reservoirs and
transport elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to
the present disclosure are further described herein, and such
reservoirs and/or transport elements can be incorporated into
devices such as those described herein. In particular, specific
combinations of heating members and transport elements as further
described herein may be incorporated into devices such as those
described herein.
[0089] In use, when a user draws on the aerosol delivery device
100, airflow is detected by the flow sensor 212, and the heating
element 222 is activated to vaporize components of the aerosol
precursor composition. Drawing upon the mouth end of the aerosol
delivery device causes ambient air to enter the air intake 238 and
pass through the cavity 234 in the coupler 232 and the central
opening in the projection 236 of the base 230. In the cartridge
104, the drawn air combines with the formed vapor to form an
aerosol. The aerosol is whisked, aspirated or otherwise drawn away
from the heating element and out the opening 226 in the mouth end
of the aerosol delivery device.
[0090] For further detail regarding implementations of an aerosol
delivery device including a control body and a cartridge in the
case of an electronic cigarette, see the above-cited U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/836,086 to Sur, and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 15/916,834 to Sur et al., as well as U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/916,696 to Sur, filed Mar. 9, 2018, which
is also incorporated herein by reference.
[0091] FIGS. 3-6 illustrate implementations of an aerosol delivery
device including a control body and an aerosol source member in the
case of a heat-not-burn device. More specifically, FIG. 3
illustrates an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an example
implementation of the present disclosure. The aerosol delivery
device may include a control body 302 and an aerosol source member
304. In various implementations, the aerosol source member and the
control body can be permanently or detachably aligned in a
functioning relationship. In this regard, FIG. 3 illustrates the
aerosol delivery device in a coupled configuration, whereas FIG. 4
illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a decoupled
configuration. Various mechanisms may connect the aerosol source
member to the control body to result in a threaded engagement, a
press-fit engagement, an interference fit, a sliding fit, a
magnetic engagement, or the like.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, in various implementations of the
present disclosure, the aerosol source member 304 may comprise a
heated end 406, which is configured to be inserted into the control
body 302, and a mouth end 408, upon which a user draws to create
the aerosol. In various implementations, at least a portion of the
heated end may include an aerosol precursor composition 410.
[0093] In various implementations, the aerosol source member 304,
or a portion thereof, may be wrapped in an exterior overwrap
material 412, which may be formed of any material useful for
providing additional structure and/or support for the aerosol
source member. In various implementations, the exterior overwrap
material may comprise a material that resists transfer of heat,
which may include a paper or other fibrous material, such as a
cellulose material. The exterior overwrap material may also include
at least one filler material imbedded or dispersed within the
fibrous material. In various implementations, the filler material
may have the form of water insoluble particles. Additionally, the
filler material may incorporate inorganic components. In various
implementations, the exterior overwrap may be formed of multiple
layers, such as an underlying, bulk layer and an overlying layer,
such as a typical wrapping paper in a cigarette. Such materials may
include, for example, lightweight "rag fibers" such as flax, hemp,
sisal, rice straw, and/or esparto. The exterior overwrap may also
include a material typically used in a filter element of a
conventional cigarette, such as cellulose acetate. Further, an
excess length of the overwrap at the mouth end 408 of the aerosol
source member may function to simply separate the aerosol precursor
composition 410 from the mouth of a consumer or to provide space
for positioning of a filter material, as described below, or to
affect draw on the article or to affect flow characteristics of the
vapor or aerosol leaving the device during draw. Further discussion
relating to the configurations for overwrap materials that may be
used with the present disclosure may be found in the above-cited
U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al.
[0094] In various implementations other components may exist
between the aerosol precursor composition 410 and the mouth end 408
of the aerosol source member 304, wherein the mouth end may include
a filter 414, which may, for example, be made of a cellulose
acetate or polypropylene material. The filter may additionally or
alternatively contain strands of tobacco containing material, such
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 to Raker et al., which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various
implementations, the filter may increase the structural integrity
of the mouth end of the aerosol source member, and/or provide
filtering capacity, if desired, and/or provide resistance to draw.
In some implementations, one or any combination of the following
may be positioned between the aerosol precursor composition and the
mouth end: an air gap; phase change materials for cooling air;
flavor releasing media; ion exchange fibers capable of selective
chemical adsorption; aerogel particles as filter medium; and other
suitable materials.
[0095] Various implementations of the present disclosure employ one
or more conductive heating elements to heat the aerosol precursor
composition 410 of the aerosol source member 304. In various
implementations, the heating element may be provided in a variety
forms, such as in the form of a foil, a foam, a mesh, a hollow
ball, a half ball, discs, spirals, fibers, wires, films, yarns,
strips, ribbons, or cylinders. Such heating elements often comprise
a metal material and are configured to produce heat as a result of
the electrical resistance associated with passing an electrical
current therethrough. Such resistive heating elements may be
positioned in direct contact with, or in proximity to, the aerosol
source member and particularly, the aerosol precursor composition
of the aerosol source member 304. The heating element may be
located in the control body and/or the aerosol source member. In
various implementations, the aerosol precursor composition may
include components (i.e., heat conducting constituents) that are
imbedded in, or otherwise part of, the substrate portion that may
serve as, or facilitate the function of, the heating assembly. Some
examples of various heating members and elements are described in
U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al.
[0096] Some non-limiting examples of various heating element
configurations include configurations in which a heating element is
placed in proximity with the aerosol source member 304. For
instance, in some examples, at least a portion of a heating element
may surround at least a portion of an aerosol source member. In
other examples, one or more heating elements may be positioned
adjacent an exterior of an aerosol source member when inserted in
the control body 302. In other examples, at least a portion of a
heating element may penetrate at least a portion of an aerosol
source member (such as, for example, one or more prongs and/or
spikes that penetrate an aerosol source member), when the aerosol
source member is inserted into the control body. In some instances,
the aerosol precursor composition may include a structure in
contact with, or a plurality of beads or particles imbedded in, or
otherwise part of, the aerosol precursor composition that may serve
as, or facilitate the function of the heating element.
[0097] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an aerosol delivery
device 300 according to an example implementation of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view through the
aerosol delivery device of FIG. 5. In particular, the control body
302 of the depicted implementation may comprise a housing 516 that
includes an opening 518 defined in an engaging end thereof, and
electronic components 520 such as a flow sensor 522 (e.g., a puff
sensor or pressure switch), a control component 524 (e.g.,
processing circuitry, etc.), a power source 526 (e.g., battery,
SSB, supercapacitor), and an end cap that includes an indicator 528
(e.g., a LED). The power source may be rechargeable, and the
control body may include charging circuitry coupled to and
configured to controllably charge the power source.
[0098] In one implementation, the indicator 528 may comprise one or
more LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs or the like. The indicator can be
in communication with the control component 524 and be illuminated,
for example, when a user draws on the aerosol source member 304,
when coupled to the control body 302, as detected by the flow
sensor 522.
[0099] The control body 302 of the depicted implementation includes
one or more heating assemblies 530 (individually or collectively
referred to a heating assembly) configured to heat the aerosol
precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member 304.
Although the heating assembly of various implementations of the
present disclosure may take a variety of forms, in the particular
implementation depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heating assembly
comprises an outer cylinder 532 and a heating element 534, which in
this implementation comprises a plurality of heater prongs that
extend from a receiving base 536 (in various configurations, the
heating assembly or more specifically the heater prongs may be
referred to as a heater). In the depicted implementation, the outer
cylinder comprises a double-walled vacuum tube constructed of
stainless steel so as to maintain heat generated by the heater
prongs within the outer cylinder, and more particularly, maintain
heat generated by heater prongs within the aerosol precursor
composition. In various implementations, the heater prongs may be
constructed of one or more conductive materials, including, but not
limited to, copper, aluminum, platinum, gold, silver, iron, steel,
brass, bronze, graphite, or any combination thereof.
[0100] As illustrated, the heating assembly 530 may extend
proximate an engagement end of the housing 516, and may be
configured to substantially surround a portion of the heated end
406 of the aerosol source member 304 that includes the aerosol
precursor composition 410. In such a manner, the heating assembly
may define a generally tubular configuration. As illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the heating element 534 (e.g., plurality of heater
prongs) is surrounded by the outer cylinder 532 to create a
receiving chamber 538. In such a manner, in various implementations
the outer cylinder may comprise a nonconductive insulating material
and/or construction including, but not limited to, an insulating
polymer (e.g., plastic or cellulose), glass, rubber, ceramic,
porcelain, a double-walled vacuum structure, or any combinations
thereof.
[0101] In some implementations, one or more portions or components
of the heating assembly 530 may be combined with, packaged with,
and/or integral with (e.g., embedded within) the aerosol precursor
composition 410. For example, in some implementations the aerosol
precursor composition may be formed of a material as described
above and may include one or more conductive materials mixed
therein. In some of these implementations, contacts may be
connected directly to the aerosol precursor composition such that,
when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving
chamber of the control body, the contacts make electrical
connection with the electrical energy source. Alternatively, the
contacts may be integral with the electrical energy source and may
extend into the receiving chamber such that, when the aerosol
source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control
body, the contacts make electrical connection with the aerosol
precursor composition. Because of the presence of the conductive
material in the aerosol precursor composition, the application of
power from the electrical energy source to the aerosol precursor
composition allows electrical current to flow and thus produce heat
from the conductive material. Thus, in some implementations the
heating element may be described as being integral with the aerosol
precursor composition. As a non-limiting example, graphite or other
suitable, conductive material may be mixed with, embedded in, or
otherwise present directly on or within the material forming the
aerosol precursor composition to make the heating element integral
with the medium.
[0102] As noted above, in the illustrated implementation, the outer
cylinder 532 may also serve to facilitate proper positioning of the
aerosol source member 304 when the aerosol source member is
inserted into the housing 516. In various implementations, the
outer cylinder of the heating assembly 530 may engage an internal
surface of the housing to provide for alignment of the heating
assembly with respect to the housing. Thereby, as a result of the
fixed coupling between the heating assembly, a longitudinal axis of
the heating assembly may extend substantially parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the housing. In particular, the support
cylinder may extend from the opening 518 of the housing to the
receiving base 536 to create the receiving chamber 538.
[0103] The heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 is sized
and shaped for insertion into the control body 302. In various
implementations, the receiving chamber 538 of the control body may
be characterized as being defined by a wall with an inner surface
and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior
volume of the receiving chamber. For example, in the depicted
implementations, the outer cylinder 532 defines an inner surface
defining the interior volume of the receiving chamber. In the
illustrated implementation, an inner diameter of the outer cylinder
may be slightly larger than or approximately equal to an outer
diameter of a corresponding aerosol source member (e.g., to create
a sliding fit) such that the outer cylinder is configured to guide
the aerosol source member into the proper position (e.g., lateral
position) with respect to the control body. Thus, the largest outer
diameter (or other dimension depending upon the specific
cross-sectional shape of the implementations) of the aerosol source
member may be sized to be less than the inner diameter (or other
dimension) at the inner surface of the wall of the open end of the
receiving chamber in the control body. In some implementations, the
difference in the respective diameters may be sufficiently small so
that the aerosol source member fits snugly into the receiving
chamber, and frictional forces prevent the aerosol source member
from being moved without an applied force. On the other hand, the
difference may be sufficient to allow the aerosol source member to
slide into or out of the receiving chamber without requiring undue
force.
[0104] In the illustrated implementation, the control body 302 is
configured such that when the aerosol source member 304 is inserted
into the control body, the heating element 534 (e.g., heater
prongs) is located in the approximate radial center of at least a
portion of the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the heated end
406 of the aerosol source member. In such a manner, when used in
conjunction with a solid or semi-solid aerosol precursor
composition, the heater prongs may be in direct contact with the
aerosol precursor composition. In other implementations, such as
when used in conjunction with an extruded aerosol precursor
composition that defines a tube structure, the heater prongs may be
located inside of a cavity defined by an inner surface of the
extruded tube structure, and would not contact the inner surface of
the extruded tube structure.
[0105] During use, the consumer initiates heating of the heating
assembly 530, and in particular, the heating element 534 that is
adjacent the aerosol precursor composition 410 (or a specific layer
thereof). Heating of the aerosol precursor composition releases the
inhalable substance within the aerosol source member 304 so as to
yield the inhalable substance. When the consumer inhales on the
mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member, air is drawn into the
aerosol source member through an air intake 540 such as openings or
apertures in the control body 302. The combination of the drawn air
and the released inhalable substance is inhaled by the consumer as
the drawn materials exit the mouth end of the aerosol source
member. In some implementations, to initiate heating, the consumer
may manually actuate a pushbutton or similar component that causes
the heating element of the heating assembly to receive electrical
energy from the battery or other energy source. The electrical
energy may be supplied for a pre-determined length of time or may
be manually controlled.
[0106] In some implementations, flow of electrical energy does not
substantially proceed in between puffs on the device 300 (although
energy flow may proceed to maintain a baseline temperature greater
than ambient temperature--e.g., a temperature that facilitates
rapid heating to the active heating temperature). In the depicted
implementation, however, heating is initiated by the puffing action
of the consumer through use of one or more sensors, such as flow
sensor 522. Once the puff is discontinued, heating will stop or be
reduced. When the consumer has taken a sufficient number of puffs
so as to have released a sufficient amount of the inhalable
substance (e.g., an amount sufficient to equate to a typical
smoking experience), the aerosol source member 304 may be removed
from the control body 302 and discarded. In some implementations,
further sensing elements, such as capacitive sensing elements and
other sensors, may be used as discussed in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 15/707,461 to Phillips et al., which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0107] In various implementations, the aerosol source member 304
may be formed of any material suitable for forming and maintaining
an appropriate conformation, such as a tubular shape, and for
retaining therein the aerosol precursor composition 410. In some
implementations, the aerosol source member may be formed of a
single wall or, in other implementations, multiple walls, and may
be formed of a material (natural or synthetic) that is heat
resistant so as to retain its structural integrity--e.g., does not
degrade--at least at a temperature that is the heating temperature
provided by the electrical heating element, as further discussed
herein. While in some implementations, a heat resistant polymer may
be used, in other implementations, the aerosol source member may be
formed from paper, such as a paper that is substantially
straw-shaped. As further discussed herein, the aerosol source
member may have one or more layers associated therewith that
function to substantially prevent movement of vapor therethrough.
In one example implementation, an aluminum foil layer may be
laminated to one surface of the aerosol source member. Ceramic
materials also may be used. In further implementations, an
insulating material may be used so as not to unnecessarily move
heat away from the aerosol precursor composition. Further example
types of components and materials that may be used to provide the
functions described above or be used as alternatives to the
materials and components noted above can be those of the types set
forth in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2010/00186757 to Crooks et al.,
2010/00186757 to Crooks et al., and 2011/0041861 to Sebastian et
al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0108] In the depicted implementation, the control body 302
includes a control component 524 that controls the various
functions of the aerosol delivery device 300, including providing
power to the electrical heating element 534. For example, the
control component may include processing circuitry (which may be
connected to further components, as further described herein) that
is connected by electrically conductive wires (not shown) to the
power source 526. In various implementations, the processing
circuitry may control when and how the heating assembly 530, and
particularly the heater prongs, receives electrical energy to heat
the aerosol precursor composition 410 for release of the inhalable
substance for inhalation by a consumer. In some implementations,
such control may be activated by a flow sensor 522 as described in
greater detail above.
[0109] As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heating assembly 530 of the
depicted implementation comprises an outer cylinder 532 and a
heating element 534 (e.g., plurality of heater prongs) that extend
from a receiving base 536. In some implementations, such as those
wherein the aerosol precursor composition 410 comprises a tube
structure, the heater prongs may be configured to extend into a
cavity defined by the inner surface of the aerosol precursor
composition. In other implementations, such as the depicted
implementation wherein the aerosol precursor composition comprises
a solid or semi-solid, the plurality of heater prongs are
configured to penetrate into the aerosol precursor composition
contained in the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304
when the aerosol source member is inserted into the control body
302. In such implementations, one or more of the components of the
heating assembly, including the heater prongs and/or the receiving
base, may be constructed of a non-stick or stick-resistant
material, for example, certain aluminum, copper, stainless steel,
carbon steel, and ceramic materials. In other implementations, one
or more of the components of the heating assembly, including the
heater prongs and/or the receiving base, may include a non-stick
coating, including, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
coating, such as Teflon.RTM., or other coatings, such as a
stick-resistant enamel coating, or a ceramic coating, such as
Greblon.RTM., or Thermolon.TM., or a ceramic coating, such as
Greblon.RTM., or Thermolon.TM..
[0110] In addition, although in the depicted implementation there
are multiple heater prongs 534 that are substantially equally
distributed about the receiving base 536, it should be noted that
in other implementations, any number of heater prongs may be used,
including as few as one, with any other suitable spatial
configuration. Furthermore, in various implementations the length
of the heater prongs may vary. For example, in some implementations
the heater prongs may comprise small projections, while in other
implementations the heater prongs may extend any portion of the
length of the receiving chamber 538, including up to about 25%, up
to about 50%, up to about 75%, and up to about the full length of
the receiving chamber. In still other implementations, the heating
assembly 530 may take on other configurations. Examples of other
heater configurations that may be adapted for use in the present
invention per the discussion provided above can be found in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,894 to
Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,228,460 to Sprinkel Jr., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,075 to
Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,813 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,850 to Das, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,659,656 to Das, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,855 to Deevi et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,225 to Hajaligol, U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,262 to
Hajaligol, U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,692 to Das et al.; and U.S. Pat. No.
5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0111] In various implementations, the control body 302 may include
an air intake 540 (e.g., one or more openings or apertures) therein
for allowing entrance of ambient air into the interior of the
receiving chamber 538. In such a manner, in some implementations
the receiving base 536 may also include an air intake. Thus, in
some implementations when a consumer draws on the mouth end of the
aerosol source member 304, air can be drawn through the air intake
of the control body and the receiving base into the receiving
chamber, pass into the aerosol source member, and be drawn through
the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member
for inhalation by the consumer. In some implementations, the drawn
air carries the inhalable substance through the optional filter 414
and out of an opening at the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source
member. With the heating element 534 positioned inside the aerosol
precursor composition, the heater prongs may be activated to heat
the aerosol precursor composition and cause release of the
inhalable substance through the aerosol source member.
[0112] As described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 in
particular, various implementations of the present disclosure
employ a conductive heater to heat the aerosol precursor
composition 410. As also indicated above, various other
implementations employ an induction heater to heat the aerosol
precursor composition. In some of these implementations, the
heating assembly 530 may be configured as an induction heater that
comprises a transformer with an induction transmitter and an
induction receiver. In implementations in which the heating
assembly is configured as the induction heater, the outer cylinder
532 may be configured as the induction transmitter, and the heating
element 534 (e.g., plurality of heater prongs) that extend from the
receiving base 536 may be configured as the induction receiver. In
various implementations, one or both of the induction transmitter
and induction receiver may be located in the control body 302
and/or the aerosol source member 304.
[0113] In various implementations, the outer cylinder 532 and
heating element 534 as the induction transmitter and induction
receiver may be constructed of one or more conductive materials,
and in further implementations the induction receiver may be
constructed of a ferromagnetic material including, but not limited
to, cobalt, iron, nickel, and combinations thereof. In one example
implementation, the foil material is constructed of a conductive
material and the heater prongs are constructed of a ferromagnetic
material. In various implementations, the receiving base may be
constructed of a non-conductive and/or insulating material.
[0114] The outer cylinder 532 as the induction transmitter may
include a laminate with a foil material that surrounds a support
cylinder. In some implementations, the foil material may include an
electrical trace printed thereon, such as, for example, one or more
electrical traces that may, in some implementations, form a helical
coil pattern when the foil material is positioned around the
heating element 534 as the induction receiver. The foil material
and support cylinder may each define a tubular configuration. The
support cylinder may be configured to support the foil material
such that the foil material does not move into contact with, and
thereby short-circuit with, the heater prongs. In such a manner,
the support cylinder may comprise a nonconductive material, which
may be substantially transparent to an oscillating magnetic field
produced by the foil material. In various implementations, the foil
material may be imbedded in, or otherwise coupled to, the support
cylinder. In the illustrated implementation, the foil material is
engaged with an outer surface of the support cylinder; however, in
other implementations, the foil material may be positioned at an
inner surface of the support cylinder or be fully imbedded in the
support cylinder.
[0115] The foil material of the outer cylinder 532 may be
configured to create an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a
magnetic field that varies periodically with time) when alternating
current is directed through it. The heater prongs of the heating
element 534 may be at least partially located or received within
the outer cylinder and include a conductive material. By directing
alternating current through the foil material, eddy currents may be
generated in the heater prongs via induction. The eddy currents
flowing through the resistance of the material defining the heater
prongs may heat it by Joule heating (i.e., through the Joule
effect). The heater prongs may be wirelessly heated to form an
aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition 410 positioned in
proximity to the heater prongs.
[0116] Other implementations of the aerosol delivery device,
control body and aerosol source member are described in the
above-cited U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/916,834 to Sur et
al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/916,696 to Sur, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/836,086 to Sur.
[0117] As described above, the aerosol delivery device of example
implementations may include various electronic components in the
context of either an electronic cigarette or a heat-not-burn
device, or even in the case of a device that includes the
functionality of both. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of an aerosol
delivery device 700 that may be or incorporate functionality of
either or both aerosol delivery devices 100, 300 according to
various example implementations of the present disclosure. As
shown, the aerosol delivery device includes a control body 702 with
electronic components 704 including a control component 706 (with a
processor 708), a sensor 710, a power source 712 and an indicator
714 that may correspond to or include functionality of respective
ones of the control body 102, 302, electronic components 208, 520,
control component 210, 524, flow sensor 212, 522, power source 214,
526 and indicator 216, 528. The aerosol delivery device also
includes a heating element 716 that may correspond to or include
functionality of heating element 222, 534. The heating element is
configured to convert electricity to heat and thereby vaporize
components of aerosol precursor composition.
[0118] The aerosol delivery device 700 may include a first terminal
718a and a second terminal 718b (e.g., respectively a positive
terminal and a negative terminal) configured to connect the power
source 710 to the aerosol delivery device. And in some examples
such as those in which the aerosol delivery device 700 is or
incorporates the functionality of aerosol delivery device 100, the
aerosol delivery device 700 (or more specifically its control body
702) may include terminals 720 configured to connect the heating
element 714 to the control body.
[0119] As described in greater detail above with respect to flow
sensor 212, 522, in some examples, the sensor 710 is configured to
produce a measurement of pressure caused by airflow through at
least a portion of the housing of the aerosol delivery device 700
(e.g., housing 206, 516). The sensor is configured to convert the
measurement of pressure to a corresponding electrical signal, which
may include conversion of an analog to a digital signal. This
sensor may be a digital sensor, digital pressure sensor or the
like, some suitable examples of which are manufactured by Murata
Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
[0120] The processor 708 is configured to receive the corresponding
electrical signal from the sensor 710, and in response connect the
power source 712 to a load 722 including the heating element 716
and thereby power the heating element. The processor may be
configured to process the corresponding electrical signal to
determine an on/off condition, and may modulate switching
connection of the power source to the load in proportion to the
measurement of pressure produced by the sensor. In some examples,
the control component 706 further includes a high-side load switch
(LS) 724 between the sensor and the load, and controllable by the
processor to connect and disconnect the power source to and from
the load including the heating element.
[0121] In some examples, the control component 706 further includes
a piezoceramic vibration device 726 coupled to and controllable by
the processor 708 to vibrate and thereby provide user-perceptible
feedback during operation of the aerosol delivery device 700.
Examples of suitable piezoceramic vibration devices include PJFVMA
and PKLCS series devices from Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
[0122] As also shown, the aerosol delivery device 700 includes a
voltage regulator 728 coupled to and between the sensor 710 and the
first terminal 718a. This voltage regulator is configured to step
down voltage from the power source 712 to the sensor 710 and
thereby power the sensor. The voltage regulator may be particularly
useful in examples in which the power source has a typical terminal
voltage of 4.1 volts, but the sensor runs at a lower voltage of 1.7
to 3 volts. A shunt resistor may be used to lower the voltage from
the power source, but in comparison, the voltage regulator of
example implementations is more efficient and results in less heat
loss. The voltage regulator may be a DC-to-DC regulator/converter,
buck regulator/converter, switching regulator, buck switching
regulator or the like. More particular suitable examples include
ADP2105 and ADP2120 series devices from Analog Devices.
[0123] In some examples, the control component 706 further includes
a near-field communication (NFC) tag 730 coupled to the processor
708 and configured to enable the aerosol delivery device 700 to
establish NFC communication with a computing device equipped with a
NFC reader, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and described in greater
detail below. The control component may also include a second
high-side load switch (LS) 732 between the first terminal 718a and
the NFC tag, and controllable by the processor to connect and
disconnect the power source 712 to and from the NFC tag, and limit
input current to the NFC tag. The processor may switch between
enabling the heating element and the NFC tag. In some examples, the
processor may be configured to control the high-side load switch
724 to connect the power source to the load 722 including the
heating element 716 only when the power source is disconnected from
the NFC tag.
[0124] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a system 800 including the
aerosol delivery device 700 enabled by the NFC tag 730 to establish
NFC communication 802 with a computing device 804, according to
example implementations of the present disclosure. This computing
device may be embodied as a number of different devices, such as
any of a number of different mobile computers. More particular
examples of suitable mobile computers include portable computers
(e.g., laptops, notebooks, tablet computers), mobile phones (e.g.,
cell phones, smartphones), wearable computers (e.g., smartwatches)
and the like. In other examples, the computing device may be
embodied as other than a mobile computer, such as in the manner of
a desktop computer, server computer or the like.
[0125] In some examples, the computing device 804 is capable of not
only NFC communication 802 with the aerosol delivery device 700,
but also capable of connection to a wireless local area network
(WLAN) 806. Examples of suitable WLAN technologies include those
based on or specified by IEEE 802.11 standards and marketed as
Wi-Fi. The WLAN includes appropriate networking hardware, some of
which may be integral and others of which may be separate and
interconnected. As shown, for example, the WLAN includes a wireless
access point 808 configured to permit wireless devices including
the computing device to connect to the WLAN. As also shown, for
example, the WLAN may include a gateway device 810 such as a
residential gateway configured to connect the WLAN to an external
computer network 812 such as a wide area network (WAN) like the
Internet. In some examples, the wireless access point or gateway
device may include an integrated router to which other systems or
devices may be connected. The WLAN may also include other integral
or separate and connected networking hardware, such as a network
switch, hub, digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, cable modem or
the like.
[0126] In some examples, the system 800 further includes a service
platform 814, which may be embodied as a computer system accessible
by the WLAN 806 or external network 812 (as shown). The service
platform may include one or more servers, such as may be provided
by one or more web servers, a cloud computing infrastructure or the
like. In some examples, the service platform is embodied as a
distributed computing apparatus including multiple computing
devices, such as may be used to provide a cloud computing
infrastructure. And in these examples, the computing devices that
form the service platform may be in communication with each other
via a network such as the external network.
[0127] In some examples, the service platform 814 is accessible by
the computing device 804 over the WLAN 806 and external network
812, and configured to provide one or more services related to the
aerosol delivery device 700. For example, the service platform may
be operated by the manufacturer of the aerosol delivery device, or
a vendor or other entity with interest in the manufacture,
distribution or maintenance of the aerosol delivery device. The
service platform may enable a user to access and use various
features, such as those described below that may be performed at
the computing device or the service platform.
[0128] The computing device 804 may include or otherwise provide an
installed application or other interface through which the service
platform 814 may be accessible. This application or other interface
may be or may be provided by a thin client and/or other client
application, such as a web browser application through which a web
page provided by the service platform may be accessible. As another
example, the application or other interface may be or may be
provided by a dedicated application, such as a mobile app installed
on a computing device embodied as a mobile computer.
[0129] As shown more particularly in FIG. 8B, in some examples, the
aerosol delivery device 700 includes the NFC tag 730 configured
enable the aerosol delivery device to establish NFC communication
802 with the computing device 804 equipped with a NFC reader 816.
The NFC tag includes an antenna 818 and an integrated circuit (IC)
820 configured to store or generate information related to the
aerosol delivery device or aerosol precursor composition. The
antenna may be separate from and coupled to a semiconductor package
including the IC, or in some examples, the antenna and IC may be
packaged together in a common semiconductor package. Examples of
suitable NFC tags include ST25TA and ST25TV series NFC tags from
STMicroelectronics, and RF430CC330 and RF430FRL15x tags from Texas
Instruments. Examples of suitable NFC readers for high-frequency
(HF) include AS3909, AS3910, AS3911B, AS3914 and AS3915 from ams
AG, and for ultra-high frequency (UHF) include AS3980, AS3991,
AS3992, AS3993 from ams AG. Another example of a suitable NFC
reader is the TRF79xx reader from Texas Instruments.
[0130] The antenna 818 of the NFC tag 730 is coupleable with a
corresponding antenna 822 of the NFC reader 816 to enable wireless
transfer of the information to the computing device 804. As shown,
the NFC reader may also include appropriate circuitry 824 such as a
processor, power harvesting circuitry or the like. In some
examples, the information stored by the IC 820 includes at least an
authentication indicia that enables authentication of the aerosol
delivery device 700 or a component of the aerosol delivery device.
The information may be stored or generated in cleartext, or the
information may be encrypted and thereby access restricted.
According to example implementations, then, the wireless transfer
of information to the computing device enables authentication of
the aerosol delivery device or component thereof at the computing
device or the service platform 814 in communication with the
computing device. In some examples, the computing device includes a
display device 826 for display of various information such as an
indication of whether the aerosol delivery device is authentic.
[0131] In some examples in which the information includes at least
the authentication indicia, the antenna 818 is coupleable with the
corresponding antenna 822 of the NFC reader 816 to enable wireless
transfer of the information to the computing device 804 to enable
the authentication of the aerosol delivery device 700 based on the
authentication indicia. Examples of suitable authentication indicia
include a unique serial number or other identifier (ID) of the
aerosol delivery device, an access key, digital signature or other
code, or the like. In another example, the authentication indicia
may indicate a manufacturer of the aerosol delivery device.
[0132] In these examples, the computing device 804 or service
platform 814 may be configured to authenticate the aerosol delivery
device 700. This authentication may involve, for example, a
determination as to whether the aerosol delivery device, its
control body 702 or other component or the aerosol precursor
composition is authentic or counterfeit.
[0133] In some examples, authentication of the aerosol delivery
device 700 may involve a challenge-response authentication in which
the aerosol delivery device is prompted to provide a response to a
challenge wirelessly transferred from the computing device 804 to
the aerosol delivery device. In these and other examples, the
aerosol delivery device may be equipped with a suitable
authentication device integrated with or coupled to the IC 820.
Examples of suitable authentication devices include the bq26150
authentication device from Texas Instruments, the ATSHA204 and
ATSHA204A authentication devices from Atmel Corporation, and the
like.
[0134] In some examples, the IC 820 is configured to access an
event counter configured to maintain a count that indicates a
remaining amount of the aerosol precursor composition. This event
counter may be integrated with or otherwise onboard the IC, or the
event counter may be external to the IC. In some of these examples,
authentication of the aerosol delivery device 700 is authenticated
only when the count is positive. Additionally or alternatively, the
processor 708 may be configured to generate or cease generation of
user-perceptible feedback when the count reaches a threshold level
that indicates a low remaining amount of the aerosol precursor
composition. More particularly, for example, the piezoceramic
vibration device 726 may be controllable by the processor to
vibrate and thereby provide the user-perceptible feedback during
operation of the aerosol delivery device only when the count is
above the threshold level. Further details of authentication
processes suitable for example implementations of the present
disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,854,841 to Ampolini et
al., which is incorporated by reference. Further details of a
suitable system that may be configured to operate as described
herein are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,864,947 to Sur et al.,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0135] In some further examples, the IC 820 is further configured
to cause the antenna 818 to transmit radio-frequency (RF) energy
826 to the computing device 804 or a second computing device 828
equipped with power harvesting circuitry configured to receive the
RF energy, and harvest power from the RF energy to power or charge
at least one electronic component of the computing device or second
computing device. This circuitry may be separate or part of
circuitry 824 of the NFC reader 816, with which the second
computing device may also be equipped. For more information on
suitable power harvesting, see U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2018/0007969
to Sur, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0136] In yet further examples, the computing device is a
point-of-sale (POS) terminal 830 of a POS system configured to
interface with a mobile payment platform 832 such as Samsung Pay,
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay or the like. In some of these
examples, the IC 820 is configured to store or generate information
including at least payment information that enables a mobile
payment transaction from the aerosol delivery device 700. This
payment information in particular may be encrypted and thereby
access restricted outside the mobile payment platform. The antenna
818 is coupleable with the corresponding antenna 822 of the NFC
reader 804 to enable wireless transfer of the information to the
POS terminal to enable the mobile payment transaction from the
aerosol delivery device, which may include the POS terminal
interfacing with the mobile payment platform to effect the mobile
payment transaction.
[0137] Many modifications and other implementations of the
disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which
this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is
not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed herein
and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be
included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific
terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
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